Part 1. Introduction: 1. Reflexions and mediations on three cities as sources and sites for achievement Patrick O'Brien; Part II. Economic Growth and Demographic Change: 2. Economies of Agglomeration and the Golden Age of Antwerp Michael Limberger; 3. Clusters of achievement: the economy of Amsterdam in its Golden Age Clé Lesger; 4. The economy of London, 1660-1730 Peter Earle; Part III. Architecture and Urban Space: 5. One of the largest cities in the low countries; One of the best fortified in Europe Piet Lombaerde; 6. The glorious city: monumentalism and public space in seventeenth century Amsterdam Marjeolin 't Hart; 7. Architecture and urban space in London Judy Loach; Part IV. Fine and Decorative Arts: 8. The fine and decorative arts in Antwerp's Golden Age Hans Vlieghe; 9. The rise of Amsterdam as a cultural centre: the market for paintings, 1580-1680 Marten Jan Bok; 10. Cultural production and import substitution: the fine and decorative arts in London, 1660-1730 David Ormrod; Part V. Books and Publishing: 11. Antwerp: books, publishing and cultural production before 1585 Werner Waterschoot; 12. Metropolis of print: the Amsterdam book trade in the seventeenth century Paul Hoftijzer; 13. Printing, publishing and reading in London, 1660-1720 Adrian Johns; Part VI. Scientific and Useful Knowledge: 14. Science for sale: the metropolitan stimulus for scientific achievements in sixteenth century Antwerp Geert Vanpaemel; 15. Amsterdam as a centre of Dutch learning in the Dutch Golden Age Karel Davids; 16. Philosophers in the counting-houses: commerce, coffee-houses and experiment in early modern London Larry Stewart.